Severe Storms Sweep Philadelphia Region as Warnings Persist

Tuesday Night Warnings

A tornado warning issued for Burlington County, New Jersey, was canceled Tuesday night as severe storms moved through the Philadelphia region, CBS News reported.

A severe thunderstorm watch covering the Philadelphia region expired, but CBS News said some severe thunderstorm warnings remained in effect for parts of the Delaware Valley, the area around Philadelphia that spans southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.

The storms carried heavy rainfall, gusty winds and frequent lightning. CBS News said damaging winds, hail and an isolated tornado were also possible.

Watch Area and Timing

WFMZ-TV, a station serving eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, reported that a severe thunderstorm watch had been issued for its entire coverage area and was in effect through midnight.

Meteorologist Dan Skeldon wrote that damaging wind gusts and large hail were the two main concerns, with an isolated tornado or two possible but far less likely. He noted that any thunderstorm, severe or not, can bring frequent lightning and heavy downpours, and that a slow-moving storm in the high humidity could drop an inch or two of rain and cause localized flooding.

Storms began developing around 4 p.m. across parts of eastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey, according to WFMZ. The station said the most likely window for severe storms ran roughly from 5 p.m. through 11 p.m., moving from northwest to southeast.

Watches Versus Warnings

WFMZ explained the difference between the two alerts. A severe thunderstorm watch does not guarantee severe weather; it means conditions could support gusty storms.

A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when storms have developed and are imminent at a specific location.

The Days Ahead

CBS News said heat and storm chances would continue Wednesday and Thursday, with storms forming each day and moving northwest to southeast around a large ridge of high pressure to the south.

Conditions will support severe storms at some point each day, mainly through the afternoon and evening, the station reported. By Thursday, a strong cold front is expected to cross the area and push the severe threat southward, though the threat area still includes Philadelphia and points south.

CBS News forecast a high of 90 and a low of 72 for Thursday, with a weather alert for storms and heat. The unsettled pattern is expected to break down by Friday, leaving highs near 80 degrees, partly cloudy skies and lower humidity for the first weekend of September.